Page 36 of Consorting with Dragons

I got very nervous, and I could feel my face flaming. I turned back around to finish making my sandwich. “Would you like one of these by the way? They were favorites of Alliance soldiers back during the war, and they caught on with our people.”

“Sandwiches? Yes, I know about sandwiches. I was one of those soldiers, once upon a time, you know. It seems like another lifetime now.”

I turned again to look at him. “But you haven’t been unhappy with the king from what I’ve heard. Everyone speaks of how close the two of you are. How much he cares for you.”

“He does, and we are happy. No, I have no regrets. But that wasn’t true at first. Back then, Alliance prisoners were dealt with harshly, and from the moment he met me, he says he knew he was in trouble. I was very young and half mad with fear and defiance and the willingness to die for my world. Davos was just as determined not to let me. At that time, Davos was the Dyson, which is the Tygerian word for Battle Commander, and he had immense power, but he told me over and over again that if I kept being so defiant, even he might not be able to save me from the highest authorities. Worst of all, my defiance and anger made him want to bring me under control. Again, that’s part ofa Tygerian’s nature and not a personality defect. He has to fight against it constantly. A good deal like you must be with Rylan.”

That surprised me and I blushed hotly again. “I do have those urges, but I could never hurt him.”

“Hmm. Davos and I really don’t belong together, and maybe that’s why our worlds were located so far apart in the first place. By all rights, we should never have even met. And once we did, against all odds, we should never have been together. But the heart wants what it wants.” He shrugged and smiled. “Everyone always thinks that they’ll be different. That they’ll be the ones to make it work.”

“And that’s a dangerous assumption, you think?”

“Well, it can be. Your species is very different from Rylan’s, and you can’t help how you feel—some of it is absolutely instinctual and part of your nature. And I can guarantee you Rylan won’t give that the respect he should. His behavior may call to you, and you’ll want to bring him under control, like my husband tried to do with me, but he had to learn to be careful, and so must you. I’m not worried you’ll kill him or hurt him, because I don’t think you’d ever do that. Though accidents have happened in the past. My youngest son married a Tygerian whose father killed his human mate in an argument, and then killed himself because he couldn’t live with what he'd done.”

“That’s…that’s too horrible to even contemplate.”

“I know. My husband knew how much bigger and stronger he was than me, and though he could force me to comply, what would be the cost? He would have changed who I really was, and he didn’t want that.”

I knew he was trying to warn me about Rylan, and a part of me resented the idea that he was implying I would ever hurt him. Still, I kept quiet and heard him out.

“I have to say I’m not as worried now that I’ve seen you with him, though. Even if it seems to scare you to speak of loving him.”

“It doesn’t scare me, but it’s-it’s fast. Too fast, I think. I barely know him. I can’t say I love him yet, though I can’t live without him, I think, because of the mating curse.”

“Oh honey, I agree with you about how fast it is. But it seems you and I are in the minority in this part of the galaxy. Just take your time. You’ll know when it’s real. I certainly did. One day, he’ll walk into a room you’re in, or he’ll smile at you in a certain way, or he’ll do or say something that will let you know for sure that he’s the one. And that no one else could ever do.” He turned and went to the door to look back at me. “Enjoy your sandwich, General. Tomorrow, we’ll talk to Rylan about what kind of wedding he’s going to want. In the meantime, you go ahead and finish writing up that offer and send it to his father back on Moravia. Goodnight. Oh, and don’t even think about letting him stay when he comes to your room later tonight.”

“What? Did he say he was coming?”

“No. But I know my grandson. And if you let him stay, then there’s no turning back. You’ll have to get married then.” He turned and winked at me. “Unless of course, that’s what you’re counting on.”

****

Quinn Fortina

I took the Consort’s words to heart. I would never have tried to sneak into Rylan’s bed, because he’d made his wishes clear about wanting to wait for marriage. But if he changed his mind or took matters into his own hands, then I wouldn’t fight him on it. I was very open to the idea.

After I’d eaten my sandwich, I decided to go to bed. It had been an eventful day and evening, and I was tired, but I couldn’t seem to get to sleep right away. I kept thinking about Rylan and his beautiful body. Being so close to him like this was torture.

I was thinking too about everything Bentine had said and the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I was lying on my back, rigid with resentment at the man telling me what I could and couldn’t do, when I heard my bedroom door open, and someone slip inside. My first thought was that someone might have been looking for the toilet and had come in the wrong door.

I sat up in bed and called out, “Who is it?”

“It’s me,” came a whispered voice in the dark. “Were you expecting someone else?”

I snapped on the light beside my bed, and Rylan was standing by the door, wearing nothing but a short, silky robe.

“Rylan, what are you doing here?” I gasped, barely able to get the words out. “Your family will be outraged if they find you. The guards…”

“Are outside. And I wore a coat over here, so take that horrified look off your face,” he said, indicating a long, red overcoat, like the ones the Imperial guards wore, lying on the floor by the door. “You’ve seen me in less, you know. And besides, they’re Imperials. They’d be shot dead before they did anything inappropriate to a royal family member. One of them followed me here, and he’s waiting outside the house, like I told him to. We won’t be disturbed. But lower your voice so my omak-ahn won’t come barging in here.”

“You said that you wouldn’t come to me until we were married. Rylan,” I said, sitting up now. Even I could hear the “outraged virgin” tone in my voice, and I was trying hard to get my emotions under control. “This is dangerous. I can’t control my feelings for you if you come in here like this—half-dressed,with your hair down around your shoulders, looking like you do.”

I could also hear that my voice had deepened with those last words. I was losing it a little at a time, and I fought to regain control. “Go away, Rylan. I mean it.”

He smiled and deliberately came closer—so close I could almost touch him. “Are you sure you mean it? Sure you want me to go? I came to give you an update on Talon. And other things…”

“You can do all that in the morning.”

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